Admission Procedure

Candidates are required to write entrance examinations and must fulfill all general and departmental requirements. Also, they are required to fulfill the following:

1. Purchase and complete Application Forms
2. Provide an official transcript of previous academic work
3. Provide three letters of recommendation from the following: one from the candidate’s denominational leader; one from a former professor/instructor; and one from a professional colleague
4. Write a biographical essay (not less than 500 words) on their lives before and after conversion and their call to ministry.
5. Attend and pass an oral interview

Preferences for admission will be given to those holding accredited Bachelor’s degrees in religion or theology. Candidate(s) with first degrees in non-religious areas may be admitted into WATS’ Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, or Master of Arts in Christian Education. A Bachelor’s degree in education will be an added advantage for a Master of Arts in Christian Education.

Master of Divinity

Specific Goals of the Master of Divinity

In addition to qualifications and competencies in the general foundation areas noted above, this program should produce church leaders, pastors, evangelists, or missionaries who are:

1. Highly competent and skilled counselors, church administrators, Christian educators, and effective church leaders.
2. Directly and competently involved in cross-cultural missions or who can direct and motivate others into missions.
3. Competent to exegete the Holy Scriptures, including making use of the original biblical languages.
4. Able to develop interpersonal relationships, display adaptability, and initiate and manage change effectively.
5. Able to articulate a well-developed pastoral/ministerial theology with emphasis on discipleship, holiness, and spiritual leadership.
6. Competent to articulate and practice disciplines for spiritual formation within a Wesleyan-holiness perspective, and to articulate specific attitudinal and behavioral goals appropriate to different stages of spiritual/ministerial development.

Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (MACL)

Over the past two to three decades the explosion of church growth in sub-Saharan Africa has led to unprecedented demands for quality church leadership. West Africa Theological Seminary recognizes that to keep pace with this development there is a need for a superior Master’s-level program designed to further equip busy bishops to lead their dioceses into the twenty-first century and beyond.  In close cooperation with consultants from within Nigeria, around the continent, and also from North America, we have put together a unique and high-powered curriculum and have recruited some of the best scholars and mentors available as adjunct faculty.  The result is an executive track and a degree program of stunning practicality and clear excellence.

Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS)

Specific Goals of the MA in Biblical Studies

In addition to qualifications and competencies in the general foundation areas noted above, this program should produce Bible scholars who are:

1. Competent in analytical thinking, exegetically sound, and academically oriented.
2. Able to do independent research and writing, able to expound the Word of God with understanding and clarity, and able to teach in seminaries, Bible schools, and universities.
3. Competent to do independent research and writing in Biblical Studies.

Master of Arts Intercultural Studies (MAIS)

The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies is a two-year program requiring 72 credit hours of course work to complete in addition to 3 credit hours of electives.  The program is designed to equip Christian men and women for local and global missionary tasks in evangelism, church planting, disciple making, and social service in cross-cultural settings. The emerging total of 75 Masters Credit hours invariably prepares the student for a further D.Min program in Cross-Cultural Missions and Evangelism. Islamic Studies emphasizes equipping students to pursue intercultural work and to engage globally and more thoughtfully with Islam and Muslims in love, compassion, respect, and diplomacy.  Students will gain an overview of the Muslim faith and practice, with special attention given to comparisons with Christianity and its varieties. The students will also survey and analyze Muslim-Christian relations throughout history and in the modern day.

Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE)

Specific Goals of the MA in Christian Education

The program is designed for equipping potential and functional leaders with the knowledge, skill, and character qualities to enable those trained to serve in church education ministries, teach educational/theological courses in theological institutions, and/or Christian Religious Education (C.R.E) in private and public schools.

The MA in Christian Education is designed for equipping potential and functional leaders with the knowledge, skill, and character qualities to enable those trained to:

1. Demonstrate observable Christ-likeness as manifested in love for God and (for) others.
2. Serve in church or any institution of learning as teachers and curriculum developers.
3. Serve also in church or parachurch organizations as educators.
4. Prepare, implement and supervise the designing and implementation of educational curriculum for different age groups in the church or any institution of learning.
5. Guide students’ personal, family or relations, and educational development.
6. Provide leadership in educational ministries of the church.

Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGDT)

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology Program is designed for bi-vocational men and women who are engaged in a regular vocation and also have an established or emerging ministry, and who have a quest for formal training in Christian ministry.  The course runs on weekends or a sandwich program during the long vacation. It is one year program. Students who complete the requirements for the PGDT may transfer their credits of grade B point and above to the MA or M. Div degree programs.